Fish well drain plug a sinking risk?

[jsc7]

My boat has two deep fish wells and in each is a drain plug which I believe is exposed to the sea. The drain plugs are just 1" snap tite plugs.

I would think there is a strong chance that sooner or later one of those plugs is going to start leaking. Can that sink the boat?

[Bill Seal]

If the normal water level in the tanks is above the outside water level, how could it?

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by jsc7

My boat has two deep fish wells and in each is a drain plug which I believe is exposed to the sea. The drain plugs are just 1" snap tite plugs.

I would think there is a strong chance that sooner or later one of those plugs is going to start leaking. Can that sink the boat?

I would think that you, as a responsible boat owner, would regularly check this potential problem area (particularly after having identified the potential risk ) and remedy any problem yourself or if not capable then have a qualified professional perform the task for you.

[Fiveslide]

Originally Posted by Bill Seal

If the normal water level in the tanks is above the outside water level, how could it?

This. These live Wells are usually designed to fill up and equalize with the water level outside the boat, then water stops coming in. If the top of the live well is below the water line then you have an issue, but I highly doubt that is the case.

[guyrj33]

They wouldn't be very good DRAIN plugs if they didn't drain the live well, would they?
I think you'll find that with the boat sitting in the water and the drain plugs out the tanks will not overflow.
Do you have a pump that you use to fill the tanks?
Where is your waterline in relation to the tanks?
How exactly are the tank drains connected to the exterior, is there a hose connection that needs to be checked?

[Colin A]

Originally Posted by guyrj33

They wouldn't be very good DRAIN plugs if they didn't drain the live well, would they?
I think you'll find that with the boat sitting in the water and the drain plugs out the tanks will not overflow.
Do you have a pump that you use to fill the tanks?
Where is your waterline in relation to the tanks?
How exactly are the tank drains connected to the exterior, is there a hose connection that needs to be checked?

Yeah you need to know how it's plumbed into the boat. Some really can be an issue most are fine. I know of a couple boats that sank with below waterline drains for baitwells. I think in both cases they were added in later thou.

[TrentePieds]

Here is the sort of boat the OP sez he has:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsyugdha-fc

Rather puzzling that such a question should need to be asked, isn't it :-)??

TP

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by TrentePieds

Rather puzzling that such a question should need to be asked, isn't it :-)??

TP

This question is slightly less puzzling than some of the OP’s other questions.

[TrentePieds]

Yeah - "Obtuse" is my middle name ;-0)!

TP

[SVTwilight]

Originally Posted by Fiveslide

This. These live Wells are usually designed to fill up and equalize with the water level outside the boat, then water stops coming in. If the top of the live well is below the water line then you have an issue, but I highly doubt that is the case.

If above the waterline level that part of the setup could be ok.

On my Whaler I kept them plugged anyway.

Depending on the age, design and quality of components of the boat, a bigger issue might be the servicability of the connection between the live well and the hull. Is there a hose? Is it double clamped? Is it cracked? How old is it? Is the through hull strong? Is there a seacock? Can you even access the space where all that would reside? All that would be keeping me awake at night if the boat is in the water....